CFMEU backs national engineered stone ban

The CFMEU Construction and General Division has welcomed the recent amendment to the ALP national platform that could lead to a ban on the manufacture, use and import of harmful engineered stone products. Engineered stone products used in Australian homes produce deadly respirable crystalline silica dust which can cause silicosis during manufacture and when it is cut to fit kitchens and bathrooms, where it is widely used.

CFMEU Construction and General Division National Secretary Zach Smith said the inclusion of a ban on engineered stone products is welcomed by all building workers and thanked the delegates to the ALP National Conference for voting to include this ban on engineered stone products in the ALP national platform.

“The deadly dust produced by engineered stone is taking the lives of young tradespeople in this country and it needs to be banned. No matter how good a kitchen might look, it is no substitute for the health of a tradesperson. Make no mistake, engineered stone is the next asbestos and we need to get it banned urgently in this country. We know that one in four of the workers who use this stone will develop deadly silicosis or other deadly dust diseases,” Smith said.

Kyle Goodwin, who was diagnosed with silicosis at 33, said this is an important step towards ensuring the safety of the next generation of stone masons. “The inclusion of this ban in the Labor Party’s national platform is a very important step towards ensuring the safety of the next generation of stone masons. I cut engineered stone for nine years with no idea of the dangers of the silica dust I was surrounded by each and every day I went to work. We need to keep fighting to make sure this ban is rolled out immediately,” Goodwin said.

Image credit: iStock.com/simonkr